Foxtel has emerged the big winner in the richest broadcast rights deal in Australian sporting history, with the pay TV and streaming giant locking up the NRL until 2034 in a seven-year, $5.3 billion agreement that leaves Nine Entertainment’s ambitions to stream league on Stan in tatters.

The landmark deal, struck between NRL management, the Foxtel Group and the Nine Network, eclipses the record agreement signed by arch rival the AFL, and immediately sets the scene for what is shaping up as a bitter battle for supremacy when the next AFL rights package goes to market.

For Australian sports fans the outcome means Kayo Sports and Foxtel will remain the home of the NRL and NRLW for close to another decade, with live coverage of every home and away game of both competitions and every finals match, with the exception of the Grand Final, extending a broadcast partnership that has now run for 30 years.

Critically for subscribers, the deal delivers even more matches in 4K, along with an expanded slate of exclusive live games as the competition grows.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and departing chief executive Andrew Abdo landed the agreement after overseas streaming players, including Paramount+, the owner of Network Ten, Netflix, and Amazon’s Prime Video, which did put its hand up for a share of the rights, failed to deliver the level of interest needed to break the incumbents’ grip on the code.

The biggest loser is Nine, which was desperate to get NRL games onto its Stan streaming platform. The network walked away with only select NRL matches on free to air television, a significant blow to its long-running strategy of using premium sport to drive Stan subscriptions.

What Fans Get

The new partnership, which begins from the 2028 season and runs until 2034, will deliver:More exclusive live NRL matches as the league expands, increasing from five matches in full rounds to seven matches when the 20th team enters the competition
Exclusive NRLW matches on Kayo Sports and Foxtel
An expanded Super Saturday offering, with more exclusive live NRL matches on Saturdays across the entire home and away season
More matches available to fans in 4K
More innovation embedded in coverage, designed to bring fans closer to the game than ever before
International reach extended through DAZN, which will take NRL matches into 200 markets around the worldFoxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said the renewed partnership cements the company’s dominance of live sport in Australia.

Matt Stanton CEO of Nine Network went into bat for Stan & Free To Air Deal.

“This renewed NRL partnership is a great outcome for the game, fans and our subscribers and maintains Kayo Sports and Foxtel as the home of NRL and live sport in Australia well into the next decade,” Delany said.

“We have been partners in the growth of rugby league for 30 years and are committed to working with the NRL to grow the game at all levels, elevate the fan experience and deliver even better innovation for audiences watching across Australia and in 200 international markets through DAZN.

“We invest $1 billion every year in sports rights and production. Sport is critical to Australia’s social infrastructure and with the NRL investing significant broadcast dollars directly into grassroots football, every Kayo subscriber not only buys affordable family entertainment but contributes to a better and stronger community.

“Our thanks go to Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo for their trust, vision and commitment to the ongoing innovation that continues to drive the growth of the game.”

“A Defining Moment”

V’landys, who thanked all broadcast partners for their collaboration, said the result future proofs the game and provides a platform for growth in Australia and globally.

“Today marks a defining moment for rugby league. The Commission has worked hard in the last five years to make the game more entertaining for our fans, effectively doubling our audience. Our Players and Clubs that made this possible will now be justifiably rewarded,” he said.

“This agreement is the largest commercial deal ever secured by an Australian sport, but its significance goes well beyond the financial outcome. It returns the draw back to the NRL and will ensure fair and equitable scheduling for all Clubs. It also gives us greater flexibility to shape the future of the game, and ensures more fans can access rugby league than ever before.

“We entered these negotiations with a clear objective, secure long-term growth while retaining control of the things that matter most. We have achieved that outcome.

Patrick Delany CEO of DANZ Australia, Foxtel and Kayo

“I want to thank Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany, Nine Chair Peter Tonagh, Nine CEO Matt Stanton, and Sky NZ CEO Sophie Moloney for reaching a landmark agreement that puts the fans and the future of rugby league first.”

Outgoing NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo described the deal as a reflection of the unprecedented growth of rugby league and the confidence the market has in the code’s future.

“This agreement reflects the strength of rugby league today and confidence in where the game can go next. It is the result of years of planning, discipline and execution by the Commission as we positioned the game to maximise its value in a rapidly changing media landscape,” Abdo said.

“The outcome gives us the certainty, flexibility and resources to pursue ambitious growth opportunities across every level of the game.

“In particular, more investment than ever will go into grassroots and community football to drive participation and ensure all levels of the game flourish.

“Rugby league is now in the best possible position for further expansion and continued growth from a community level through to the international stage.

“Most importantly, it gives the game greater control over how rugby league is produced, distributed and experienced, ensuring fans remain at the centre of every decision we make.”

Foxtel Locks Up Tier 1 Sport

Delany made no secret of what the win means for Foxtel’s position in the market, confirming that when the 20th team enters the competition, seven of ten games will be exclusive to Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

“Our subscribers will be able to watch their team live every week, no matter which team they support. We are also thrilled to now have exclusive live games of NRLW, one of Australia’s fastest growing leagues, and we think it will grow even faster with more games on Kayo Sports and Foxtel,” he said.

“With the NRL now secured long term alongside the AFL, Cricket, Supercars and Formula 1, Kayo Sports and Foxtel are home to the top Tier 1 sports in Australia. Combined with the best in international sport and more than 50 live sports, we’re bringing fans an unmatched sporting line-up.

“With this breadth of coverage, we’re helping to grow the games themselves, inspire the next generation of fans and athletes, and ensure our investment continues to strengthen communities and participation across the country.

“Now we have the rights agreement in place, our focus turns to ensuring Kayo Sports continues to lead in presenting the most innovative approach to live sport broadcasts and continuing to enhance the customer experience.

“I would like to thank our colleagues at DAZN, particularly CEO Shay Segev and Chairman Sir Leonard Blavatnik, for their unwavering support of this partnership.”

The new agreement takes effect from the 2028 season.